Themes Of The Secret Sharer English Literature Essay

Joseph Conrad exists in history as an illustrious man of literature. His experiences as a sailor translate decorously in his various novels and short stories. “The Secret Sharer,” published in 1910, greatly exemplifies this translation. (Introduction) The setting of this short story takes place on the ocean, or more precisely, the Meinam River in the Gulf of Siam. (Conrad) This story, however, exists as more than just a reiteration of a sailor’s life; it explores the features of the human psyche. “The Secret Sharer” stands as a perplexing examination of every person’s dual nature, and how each person must resolve this duality for the self to grow. (The Doppelganger Theme) The two themes of isolation and doppelganger constitute the profound message in the plot. With them, Conrad takes his readers on a metaphorical journey.

The unnamed Captain endures as the central character of “The Secret Sharer.” His lack of a name represents his lack of self-knowledge, and thus, his lack of identity. The ship he commands lacks a name as well, which represents his absence of knowledge for his crew. Given this command only a fortnight before, the Captain feels out of place onboard. Due to this, he stands alone on the decks in the beginning of the story. The theme of isolation presents itself in the very first sentence, “for there was no sign of human habitation as far as the eye could reach.” (SS) The Captain continues to solemnly examine his surroundings. “At that moment I was alone on her decks. There was not a sound in her – and around us nothing moved, nothing lived, not a canoe on the water, not a bird in the air, not a cloud in the sky.” (SS) This suggests the complete isolation the Captain feels in his heart. Shortly thereafter, the he leaves to eat dinner with his crew.

The Captain’s isolation further intensifies as he eats with his officers. When he states a simple observation that he saw the Sephora, the second mate sneers at him. In this scene, the Captain continues to narrate that he feels like a stranger, to both the ship and himself. For the sake of his own comfort, he makes a magnanimous gesture to keep anchor watch until one o’ clock, something unheard of for a Commander. In the darkness, he meditatively smokes a cigar and evaluates the “strangeness” of his situation. “I had expected those solitary hours of the night to get on terms with the ship of which I knew nothing, manned by me of whom I knew very little more.” (SS) In the depths of isolation, the captain then notices that the ladder had not been brought up from the side of the ship. As he proceeds to pull it himself, the force merely recoils back upon his body. At the bottom of the ladder hangs a naked man. The Captain then asks in a surprisingly ordinary tone, “What’s the matter?” (SS)

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The man introduces himself to the Captain as Leggatt. Although the Captain lacks an identity, he immediately identifies himself with the stranger. “The self posession of that man had somehow induced a corresponding state in myself.” (SS) Leggatt informs him that he had swam from the islet to the ship, a distance of two miles. Conrad’s attention to his physical strength reflects his mental strength as well. (Character, leggatt) A mysterious communication establishes between the two after only a few exchanged words. The captain then quietly takes the man to his room, where he offers him one of his sleeping suits. He takes notice that his “sleeping suit was just right for his size.” (SS) This suggests that the two men correspond with each other, and bluntly introduces the doppelganger theme. Leggatt proceeds to tell the Captain that he killed an insolent sailor in an effort to save his ship. He also tells him of his escape. This background suggests Leggatts bravery and irrationality. In contrast, the Captain exemplifies a more timid and civilized nature. The Captain notices this contrast as well – “a stubborn if not steadfast operation; something of which I should have been perfectly incapable.” (SS) From this point on, the Captain continues to refer to Leggatt as his “double.”

In the midst of his isolation, the Captain finds a figurative double. Thus, the doppelganger theme directly results from the isolation theme. A precedent for the doppelganger concept lies in the beginning of the story, when the Captain stands alone and examines his surroundings. The two clumps of trees he notices represent two separate entities that are the same, such as the himself and Leggatt. The scorpion found in the Chief Mate’s cabin serves as a symbolic precedent as well. It applies to Leggatt in terms of danger, intrusion, and concealment. Also, they both symbolize the darker self that plagues everyone. (Secret Sharer Themes) In essence, Leggatt represents black, while the Captain represents white. Therefore, when they come together in the cabin, they both wear gray sleeping suits. This also represents the meeting of the conscious and the subconscious. Together, they equalize, and form the perfect commander. This concept demonstrates itself in the end, when the Captain acts courageously in response to Leggatt’s influence. As the ship approaches Koh-ring, the Captain directs his men in an aggressive manner. Throughout this entire scene, he keeps his composure, and wins the respect of his crew. (Character, Captain)

Overall, Conrad’s story portrays how Leggatt influences the Captain, and by doing so, transforms him into the perfect commander. The timid Captain’s initial situation reflects the situations in every person’s life, when they must evoke their inner courage. (Critical Essay) The profound message of “The Secret Sharer” illustrates self discovery in the form of interacting with others. One may meet someone who provides insight to and inner and unknown self, thus, cultivating one’s personality. Conrad artistically weaves the themes of isolation and doppelganger into the story as he conveys this message. The Captain takes a metaphorical journey and experiences self growth. In the end, both him and Leggatt can look to a “new destiny.”